Nthanda Times

Day: February 13, 2025

  • World Vision Mw support children with disabilities, donates to Ministry of Health

    The World Vision Malawi has donated specialized wheelchairs for children and medical equipment to hospitals and communities across the country.

    The donation, valued at approximately $378,577.49 (K662,889,184.99), aims to enhance mobility and accessibility for children with disabilities and has been widely commended by government officials and disability rights advocates.

    Speaking at Bwaila Health Unit in Lilongwe during tthe handover ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Noah Chimpeni expressed gratitude for the timely support, emphasizing its impact on healthcare and education accessibility.

    He also expressed gratitude for World Vision’s commitment to supporting the poor and oppressed, while recognizing the government’s role as a crucial partner in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, particularly those with disabilities.

    Chimpeni: the donation will have an impact on healthcare and education accessibility

    “This donation will go a long way towards assisting our children and improving healthcare delivery. The wheelchairs are not just for mobility; they are designed with features that allow children to use them as desks, making it easier for them to attend school,” said Chimpeni.

    Chimpeni also emphasized the government’s appreciation for how World Vision’s priorities align with the nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Malawi National Disability Act.

    In his words, George Chiusiwa, Executive Director of the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA), echoed the sentiments, stressing the importance of ensuring that the equipment is properly utilized.

    Chiusiwa also noted that such assistive devices are often unaffordable for many households, making this donation a significant milestone in promoting disability inclusion in the country.

    Chiusiwa: The wheelchairs will facilitate mobility

    “The issue of accessibility for children with disabilities is paramount. These wheelchairs will facilitate mobility, allowing children to access education and other essential services. It is our duty to ensure that they are used effectively to benefit the intended recipients,” he said.

    Highlighting the broader impact of the initiative, World Vision Malawi Director of Operations Charles Chimombo reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable children through its Able to Thrive project.

    He also acknowledged the role of the government in ensuring the efficient distribution of the donated equipment, which will benefit 20 district hospitals, 20 health centers, and two central hospitals—Mzuzu Central Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital.

    “We focus on the well-being of the most vulnerable children, and children with disabilities are among them. This donation is part of our larger project aimed at reaching 4,700 children with disabilities over the coming years,” said Chimombo.

    World Vision
    Deputy Minister of Health cutting the ribbon

    He also commended the partnership with the MACODA and Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) for their dedication to disability inclusion, which has fostered a collaborative environment.

    The donation comes at a time when children with disabilities in Malawi continue to face significant challenges in accessing education and healthcare due to mobility constraints and poverty.

    According to MACODA, 11.6% of Malawi’s population consists of persons with disabilities, with children making up about 30% of this group, and lack of assistive devices remains a major barrier to their inclusion in society.

    The supplies include 342 wheelchairs for children with disabilities, 25 million medical sponges, 6,400 medical gowns, scrubs, and lab coats, 2,300 surgical drapes, and 49 medical examination beds. These will be distributed to 20 district hospitals, 20 health centers, and two referral hospitals, namely Kamuzu Central Hospital and Mzuzu Central Hospital.

  • Communities hail Titukulane Resilience Food Security Activity for improving water access in Mangochi

    Communities in Traditional Authorities (T/A) Chamba and Ntonda in Mangochi district have commended the Titukulane Resilience Food Security Activity for constructing new and rehabilitating existing, but dysfunctional boreholes in the two areas.

    With financial support from the United States Aid for International Development (USAID), consortium of six non-governmental organizations comprising Care International in Malawi, WaterAid Malawi, Emmanuel International, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), International Food and Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Save The Children International (SCI) has been implementing the activity in Mangochi and Zomba districts.

    The ultimate goal of the activity was to increase coverage of safe drinking water in communities with below basic access through targeted rehabilitation and construction of water supply infrastructure.

    Village Head (VH) Chiyambeni, who is under T/A Ntonda, speaking to journalists on tour of the project sites in Mangochi this week, said the problem of lack of safe and clean drinking water negatively affected the social and economic development of his area.

    Chiyambeni stated that the high levels of destitution and poverty in the area are a result of lack of water, observing that without safe and clean drinking water, the possibility of breaking out of the cycle of poverty is incredibly slim.

    “Lack of water and poverty are inseparably linked because where there is no water, able-bodied members of a community are forced to spend hours searching and transporting water instead of working on their farms. Additionally, poor access to water and insufficient sanitation affect the health of the poor, their food security, and their prospects for making a living,” he said.

    Titukulane Resilience Food Security Activity
    VH Chiyambeni drawing water from the borehole constructed with funding from USAID through Titukulane Activity–Photos by Watipaso Mzungu

    Apart from construction of 30 new boreholes, the organizations rehabilitated 75 boreholes in Mangochi and Zomba, respectively, translating it to 150 rehabilitated boreholes.

    Chiyambeni emphasized that the construction and rehabilitation of the boreholes have reduced cases of waterborne diseases in the targeted areas.

    “We will now actively participate in the social and economic activities taking place in our communities,” he said.

    Theresa Kananji, a widow who lost her husband to cholera in Chiyambeni Village, said her spouse would not have died if the village had access to safe and clean drinking water.

    Kananji, 50, therefore described the construction of the borehole as a great relief and salvation not only to her family, but also to the entire village.

    “I am very excited with the coming in of a borehole in our village. We used to walk long distances to fetch water from unsafe sources. It would take three hours for someone to walk to and from the water source,” she said.

    Kananji sharing her experience with MBC’s Chikondi Phikiso

    “This borehole will significantly reduce cases of cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases thereby saving lives. We’re very grateful to Care International in Malawi and its partners for giving us this precious gift.”

    WaterAid Malawi Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, Solomon Chirwa, said the project has helped significantly in improving knowledge, attitudes, skills and norms related to essential sanitation and hygiene behaviors.

    Chirwa stated that there is now increased availability of basic safely managed facilities and consumables necessary for essential sanitation and hygiene practices.

    “Through the same project, we also provided technical assistance in WASH policy review, WASH planning including integrated planning and performance review with other sectors especially at policy and district levels. We also advocated for increased funding for the WASH sector that recognizes and promotes complementarity with other sectors such as health, education and gender,” he explained.